The Treaty of Lisbon: an Uncertain Future / House of Commons Library, 30 July 2008
PDF - http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/rp2008/rp08-066.pdf
Research Paper 08/66
"On 12 June 2008 the Republic of Ireland voted by 53.4% to 46.6% against ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon. This result, although not totally unexpected, has thrown the EU once again into uncertain waters. The Lisbon Treaty, like all EU amending treaties, must be ratified by all 27 Member States in order to come into force. If it does not come into force the EU will continue to work on the basis of the present Treaties as amended by the Treaty of Nice in 2000, although many believe some institutional reform will be needed to enable the Union to function efficiently with 27 or more Members..."